Like the ocean that's ::running:: dry {Axel}

Expecting some gentle nudge of the shoulder, or Xander asking her to continue, Renn let out a little laugh. But instead, he took her hands from her temples, and enclosed them in his own. Blush arose to Renn's cheeks just as it always did when Xander held her hands. There was something powerful about his huge hands completely enclosing her's. Something about the innocence and normality about the simple gesture made Renn's heart warm. It was a genuine sign of love, but also very generic. Renn held Maria's hands, and even Jameson's at one point when he was upset. It was a way to show someone, anyone that you loved them. Kissing, however, was much better. It was something conserved for your soul mate. For boyfriends and fiancees and husbands. Kissing, was reserved only for Xander, just like waking up to the cold caused by Renn's bare skin. Just like the way Xander smelled of morning, the way his lips always lingered longer than Renn's. There were little things in their relationships that were known gestures, but the meanings behind them were far more emotional and meaningful then your typical relationship.

It was the little things Renn loved most about Xander, and as her eyes met his, she was met with her favorite thing about him. The way he looked at her. His eyes were always open, always loving, and Renn felt like she could see right into his soul, right into his heart, and right into his mind. And she was in all three. It was the fact that his feelings for her were far bigger than life, the universe, and himself. He loved her more than anyone, and even that sounded like an understatement. At first, it was frightening to Renn, but as she'd let herself fall, with Xander's promise to catch her, she'd known he saw that in her too. She stared at him identically. The same love and dire passion existed in the pools of her eyes.

Beyond that too, in her soul and heart and mind. There was no part of Xander she didn't love, and that was obvious in the way she looked at him. She'd let herself give in. She was Xander's, and he was her's. They belonged to and with each other. They craved each other, they loved each other, and they breathed each other. They couldn't even be classified as a single person anymore. All of District 1 would no longer know them as Renn and Xander, but Renn with Xander. She would never leave him, no matter how tired of her usual games he got. His mistake, because even if he yelled at her now, even if he was a dream, Renn would not let him go. It was selfish, perhaps, but it was the truth. Even if it meant depriving Xander from his biggest dream, as long as he would love her, Renn would never leave him. And they both knew that meant forever.

Xander spoke, apologizing for upsetting her. He repeated that she can just forget he said anything. Renn was about to oppose, to wrap her hands around his neck and make him looked her in the face. To see the love beneath her stare up close, just as her lips moved against his, explaining her thoughts, but Xander pulled her close, and his eyes were closed as his lips fell to her's. Suddenly, all those thoughts she wanted to tell him, all the words she wanted to use to express her unconditional and beautiful love for him, the way she wanted to tell him that she wasn't scared anymore, and that she let go. All those thoughts vanished. They melted away into the oblivion, and Xander was all that filled Renn. His tongue moved around her's and Renn stood on her knees, her hands pulling on his neck, craving for his lips to be permanently locked to her's. His hands went to her thighs, and as he stood, she wrapped her legs around his waist, clinging to him desperately. He fell back onto the couch, his strength not enough to make it to the bedroom.

As he fell backwards onto the couch, Renn let her legs moved out from under him and she placed one on each side of his waist, pinning him to the couch. They kissed passionately, the love from each person radiating against the other. Renn let her tongue moved around Xander's. She took his face on her hands and pulled him closer and closer, each kiss intensifying. Xander's hands slid up and down her thighs before moving to her back. The pressure of his hand against her back made Renn collapse upon him. His arms pulled her so close, but still not close enough. There was a desperate desire in both of them, that intensified with each moan and kiss, that made them both want to be closer and closer. The love they had for each other was far beyond anything they could ever do, even the most known symbol for love would never be enough. Not that Renn was complaining, she happily obliged when Xander began to remove her clothes.

She scooted up on his chest, her hands feeling blindly through his hair. His hands slid down to her shirt, and he moved his hands across her bare skin confidentially, their touch far beyond scary to either of them anymore. He hardly hesitated before pulling the shirt up, but Renn hesitated to let his lips leave her's to take it off. As he continued to tug it upwards, Renn was blind for a moment, and she found that not being able to see him was too much. So she broke the kiss, but as soon as her shirt was off, her hands moved back to his neck. This kiss more passionate then the first. It was impossible to describe the passion that radiated from the couple as they kissed. Renn's tongue went straight into Xander's mouth, and it met his like it'd been years since the last time. Renn moved further up on him, the intensity of the kiss bounding rapidly like a fire through her. Never, had she ever felt this before. Not even the first time they'd kiss, or the first time they'd touched. It was far better than that, but it was also something annoying. It was a craving she'd never be able to calm, no matter how many times they kissed.

His hands moved to Renn's jeans. Renn wanted to move his hand, to keep him from separating their bodies with it, but they had to get their clothes off somehow. Renn took the opportunity to slide her hands underneath his shirt. They lingered on his bare chest for a minute, feeling the thickness that disguised his thicker heart. Xander should have been complicated, it should have taken a long time to undo each layer of muscle until Renn found his heart, her prize. But it didn't. It barely took a day to gain his love, and to feel those feelings for him too. She slipped the shirt off his head, moving quickly to extend the kiss further.

His hands moved back to her bare back, and as he stood, Renn wrapped her legs around his waist again, their lips never parting. As they approached the bedroom door, Xander said something, but it was too soft to drown out Renn's heart as it pounded furiously in her ears. He moved into the bedroom, leaving Renn no choice but to follow him. As he shut the door, Renn pushed him against it, his love flowing into her giving her surging strength. His love making her invincible, unresponsive to anything else, but oh so strong.

Fade to Black.

Renn did not sleep. Though exhausted from their expression of love, the high she got from it was far too long lasting for her to gain any sleep. Xander, however, fell asleep quickly. His exhaustion was obvious, and Renn made him get up and put on some clothes before conking out. When they both were dressed, Renn in his loose tee shirt that fitted like a nightgown, and him in a pair of shorts with a loose tee, he'd snuggled into Renn. It was the opposite of what they usually did. On any usual night, Renn would seek the warmth and protection. She would snuggle up to him like a child. Tonight though, he'd fallen asleep with his lips to her fingers, his head curled up into her neck. Renn had propped herself up on her elbow and ran her fingers through his hair until his sleep was deep. She sang to him, and he smiled in his sleep. Only a few minutes after he fell asleep, he mindlessly pulled her into him until she was the one laying on his chest.

When Xander started snoring, Renn had gently lifted his arm, and slipped out of bed. After she wandered around the apartment and drank some water, trying to convince herself she was tired, she rummaged through a bureau in the other bedroom and found a pair of women's sweatpants. They were a little tight on her legs, but the waist fit perfectly, and they were oddly comfortable. When she slipped back into bed, Xander's arm blindly locked around her waist. He turned on his side and so did she, and he pulled her back against his front. One of his arms moved under Renn's head and stretched out so that her head was laying on his bicep. After playing with his fingers for a minute, Renn had slipped into sleep...

...Only to be woken soon after. But she wasn't in the bed. She was at the edge of the district, and Xander's arm was around her. The first thing she did, as his beautiful voice filled her ears was climb into his lap. It was just something customary for her to do, something she wished Xander did without any effort from her. He accepted her though, his arms wrapping around her as he finished.

"You have made me the happiest man in the district on this morning Renn, your words have given me yet another reason to live. I can only give you my life Renn I can give you no more than that, but from this day forward I am always yours. I shall stay here for you because it would make you happy, but I must also ask that you consider what it is we must face in the future should we have a child. The rules of Panem demand that a tribute from every district serve in the Games, it was only a dream, but I saw us together having to watch...our daughter...die in the Games. I cannot see that again before my eyes, I could wake up from my dreams but I cannot escape reality. There is only one way for us to escape that pain...but I shall speak of it no more until you are ready to speak of it."

"Well Renn...I'm taking you to see your family...your real family. In reality I was hoping I could get there before you woke up, but apparently that didn't work out..."

As Xander spoke about the need for Renn to rest, expressing his deep concern for Renn's health, Renn completely ignored every word he said. She was preoccupied. While his lips fell from her's, her lips merely migrated to his neck. Her lips traveled from the tips of his ears to his collarbone, her hand pulling constantly on his neck, trying to get him to kiss back. Even when he pulled away, Renn never let him have the last word. Usually, he'd go about his own business, talk to her like she was listening, or sometimes he'd melt like putty in her hands. She was manipulative, but Xander never seemed to mind much.

One word did catch her though. Hotel. Like every teenager, the images that moved with that word were perfectly naughty for Renn. The word itself made her jump almost out of her shoes. It was perfect. Afraid Xander wouldn't take her there if she kept it up, Renn halted all seduction immediately, and instead took on a look of pure innocence. Xander looked at her an adoring look and swept her up princess-style. All according to Renn's plan. It wasn't hard to fool Xander, and apparently Renn was good at it. A twinge of guilt wove into her stomach as she thought of his back, and the money it would cost to get a room, but she could make it up to him, and the look on his face was too entertained to ruin the moment. Renn snuggled into his chest, batting her long lashes at him innocently as they walked to the nearest hotel, the anticipation threatening to ruin Renn's act with every step.

Better sooner than later, they arrived at the hotel. The clerk gave them a strange look, and Renn would have gotten defensive if it weren't for her innocence act. When Xander said to bill it to Renn and Xander Thrash, Renn did her best childish giggle. Xander beamed at her, his eyes glowing with love. He carried Renn all the way to the room. He laid her on the bed, announcing they were alone. Xander stood over her, seemingly contemplating what to do next. Renn waited until the pat of the avox who showed them the room's feet was silenced. She listened for any occupants in the next room. After clearing all sounds and distractions, she waited thirty extra seconds, just to be sure. Everything was quiet for one more beat.

Renn moved fast, her motions blurring as she launched herself at Xander. She took his shirt in fistfuls and pressed against his chest as he stumbled backwards, then, a second before they hit the east wall, Renn spun around, and pulled him against her until he was pinning her to the wall. His arms stuck out to stop himself from crashing into her, and they made it easier to Renn to focus on Xander, his arms blocking her vision on the sides, and his face the only thing in front of her. Renn's lips went to his neck, and her hands moved methodically up his shirt. His dense muscle was smooth under her hands. She moved his arms straight up, pulling his shirt over his head. All of this was done in a matter of seconds, and by the time Xander even noticed they'd moved, Renn was tracing the planes on his chest and stomach with her lips. She breathed heavy breaths against his skin.

Xander's knees started to buckle underneath him and he leaned against Renn to stay upright. The shape from his knees, leaned against the wall, to his arms was a perfect triangle. Just as Xander was about to reach for her, Renn slid through that triangle, using Xander's waist for balance. She moved around him like a serpent, smooth and methodical, and always just a little too fast. She was sneaky, and Xander was too distracted to keep up with her. Or perhaps he was too naive. He'd only seen her do this once. At least she wasn't pulling him by his belt loops. Yet.

Xander still couldn't keep up with Renn, and she was tracing the line from shoulder to shoulder on his back with her lips when he tried to speak.

Xander's attempt to roll off her was rather funny to Renn. The minute he started retreated from her touch, she flashed her innocent, pouty face that won him over every time. She merely tightened her arms around him, just barely, and he was done fighting. Renn didn't blame him. He was tired, and if their roles were reversed, Renn would put in little effort to fight back too. She was far less compassionate than Xander though, often letting the selfishness in her get it's way. Xander didn't seem to mind though, seeing that selfish side got him into something they both equally enjoyed. His tongue blocked Renn's as it slid into his mouth again. She stuck out her bottom lip, ready to pout all innocently again. Xander nibbled on her lip, causing shivers to race up and down her spine.

The shivers came faster and faster as Xander carefully removed Renn's shirt and jeans, taking teasingly slow. Renn was stripped down to her lingerie, and Xander's body pulsed warmth into her bare skin as he moved into her. His hands traced the line of her bare thighs carefully and delicately. He rolled over, pulling Renn on top of him. The cool that hit Renn's bare skin was almost unbearable. She cringed into Xander, trying to soak up his warmth. The couple scooted up to the top of the bed, and Xander snuggled them under the covers. Desperate for warmth, Renn had rolled off Xander, and was snuggling into his side as he spoke. The nibbles on her ear after his each word were driving Renn absolutely mad with intense passion that could barely contain itself until after he finished.

For most lovestruck teenagers, dreams were where they had to go to see the face of their loved one. A dream was the only place where they could escape the complications of that relationship. They would have to slip into the oblivion away from the physical person for their relationship to be perfect. Renn didn't. In fact, sleeping was just an inconvenience to her. It would be better to just lay in bed with Xander, their clothes thrown lazily around the room. A sad, but passionate thing that always happened to Renn was that she was consumed by the comfort, security, and happy vibe Xander always gave to her. He was her best friend, the one she could confide in always. Whether that action was physical or verbal. His warm body, always protectively placed over her's made her want to slip into an oblivion. Where the rest of the world just didn't exist. Xander was the relief most lovestruck teenagers felt when they slipped into sleep.

That didn't stop Renn from snuggling into him as far as she could. They were never close enough, but the closeness was enough to make her sleep. Xander was more manipulative then he even realized. He could make Renn do anything he wanted her to. His warmth and security could make Renn want to confide in him and later slip into sleep. He constantly made her want him. All the time. Even now that they'd reached every level of love for each other, Renn felt there was a level she hadn't reached. A level she was desperate for. Would she ever rid that feeling of never being close enough? Did she even want to?

She dreamed of Xander. And only Xander. The way sweat glistened off his back as he practiced training. How the tightness of his shirt exposed every muscle in his chest. He shook his hair, drops of sweat fluttering around him. The determination in his eyes, the swift, twirling, elegant yet angry motions through his sword, the extension of his arm that he had such a talent for. The fearlessness in his stance. Confidence beamed off him like he was a sun, shining brightly over the horizon. The way he never dreamed of anything but training. That determination, courage, and the sincerity in his decisions was perfect. His stance was without flaw, his posture beyond perfect. A beam of sunlight caught his eyes, dancing around in the golden flames that existed under the thin film. The pools of brown and gold making every girl within a twenty mile radius fall to her knees. And it was all Renn's. His strength, brutality, mentality, and that striking anger beyond his eyes was all for Renn. He belonged to her in every way, marriage included. She'd explored the thickness of his thighs as her hands ran teasingly across them. She'd imagined the thickness of his arms before, but she never imagined how dense they would be.

Renn woke up the minute Xander stepped out of the bed. She was curled in too closely into him to not notice when he was gone. He'd curled blankets against her back, trying to make up for the absence of his body. How cute. He stood now, his back bare as he walked towards the bureau. Renn watched him with loving eyes as he buttoned up a shirt he'd found by the drawers. Xander turned to look at her, and she closed her eyes, wanting him to find her asleep. She heard his footsteps and the closing of the door behind him as he stepped out. Before yesterday, Renn would have been worried, panicking even. But now, she felt at ease, knowing Xander would always return. Images of Wade always popped into her mind when he left her alone, but she was too busy trying to relive her dream to notice.

All those pictures that went through her mind, they were memories. They actually happened. Those exact thoughts had gone through her mind as she watched him fight somewhere. Where else would he be besides the training center? She sat up, racking her brain for a moment when she'd seen him before they fought and she won. Her dreams were her watching him from a distance, admiring his strength and imagining his body pressed into her. But that scenario hadn't happened ever before. Renn thought she'd never seen Xander in her life before they fought. Now though, she questioned this.

Then she remembered. Her friend Emily had caught her staring dreamily at him one day in training.

The gentle, sweet, innocent peck on the cheek Xander returned to Renn made her blush. Renn had claimed that she wanted to never grow up. That was her excuse for not having kids. Now, now that she was almost sure there was a baby under the thin skin on her stomach, it was hard to not want to live out the rest of their child-like innocence. It wouldn't be long before Xander would figure it out, and she wouldn't keep it from him. He was the father, no doubt, and he'd wanted a child so desperately, it would be torture to keep it from him. The thing was, Renn wouldn't let herself believe that she was pregnant until it was positively true.

Her gaze had drifted to the wall behind him, not wanting to meet his gaze as the piercing pain of keeping something from him jabbed through her stomach. It was almost as if the baby was telling her that he needed to know, but maybe there was no baby at all. Maybe it was all in her head. But now, his velvety voice broke through her thoughts, and she moved her attention to him. Her hand was over her stomach. She hadn't even noticed, but now she moved it, busying herself by caressing Xander's cheek as he spoke.